FO Friday: Chemo Caps and Craziness

Well today I am running around like a mad women.

Tomorrow we are hosting a big Graduation BBQ for my Darling Son.  The laundry basket is filling up with all the odds and ends for a big party. I also have physiotherapy and a Doctors appointment today. The boyz are cleaning the giant BBQ we borrowed, then we go grocery shopping. No knitting for me today. Tomorrow morning, set up at the hall… Bedlam.

What I got done earlier this week!

 Chemo Do-Rag (AKA Scarf) done and delivered.

With a Little Help for My Friend Chemo Cap

7″ X 19″
80% Bamboo, 20% Wool

A friend is going through Chemotherapy, which inspired this pattern. Some years ago I was in a similar situation and appreciated the many kindnesses of my friends. Please feel free to use this pattern and pass it along. We all need to feel cared for in times of trouble.

Edge detail

And here’s a little Teazer for Wednesday can you guess what it is?

Tune in Wednesday for a Hint ;0)

Current WIP List (13)

1. Teazer
2. Chemo Hat for a Friend
3. Chemo Do-Rag (AKA Scarf) 
4. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 25% done 
5. Piles of Smiles socks a new pattern I am working on 50% Carry along Kal forum
6. Camellia shawlette -  5%
7. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
8. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
9. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
10. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
11. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
12. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
13. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
14. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
15. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 66 + 2 = 68

+ 77 Squares & Hexes

WIPS 2013 = 15 – 2 = 13

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 54 + 2 = 56

Books 2013 = 18

Thanks again for visiting,

cya next week :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: Work, Work, Work!

Super busy!

I know it seems a little weird that I’m working on everything at once, but there is method in my madness. I am trying to get an assortment of small things ready in a short period of time. Some of these are good carry alongs, some aren’t.

XL Coffee Cup Sweater (2)

Still have to make a few more of these

Drip Stoppers (7)

and

Cable Braided Head Band

Hahaha, this one was sold right off the needles :0)

Untangles (4)

I have one more of these to do.

 race for Life 2009 chemo cap 

Chemo Hat made from lovely Bamboo yarn.

And last but not least The Jar! 

5 months of scraps!

Current WIP List (12)

1. XL Coffee Cup Sweaters  (4 done)
2.  Drip Stopper   (11 done)
3. Untangleds (4) done)
4. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 25% done  
5. Piles of Smiles socks a new pattern I am working on 40%
6. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
7. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
8. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
9. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
10. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
11. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
12. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
13. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
14. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
15. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 =  53 + 19 = 72

WIPS 2013 = 15 – 3 = 12

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 =  47 + 3 = 50

Books 2013 = 18

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Adding a few to the list…

After last weeks craziness, I am hoping for a more restful week… The weather here in Ontario is lovely, and sunny. Good for sitting outside with a cuppa and knitting, while listening to Bach!

Need to move the fire pit and bring down the coffee table. and my netbook works out here too!

The Boyz put up the awning and gardening season is about to begin :0)

From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf  deadline is coming fast!

The dark pink makers are the half way point, all down hill from there :0)

Must be done by May 25th.

Mile a Minute Blanket This has been a delightful experiment!

Coming along nicely! I have another stripe ready to attach.

 Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal 

The ball on the lower right has much more of the centre green than appears in this picture.

Piles of Smiles socks  a new pattern I am working on

Really makes plain old stripes dance!

Found on ravelry: OctoCrush Hat by Ellen Taylor. Nice summer sun hat

I have been enjoying reading other people’s blogs, I’m going to start linking to some you might enjoy too :0)

Blog visiting: Of Yarny Notions: Tales of a Nerdy knitter

Another useful tutorial: A Sock Surgeon’s Afterthought Heel Technique I frequently use this technique, or knit in a waste yarn so there are no ends to darn in!

This weeks musical interlude: The Best of Bach (this is a whole album)

And last but not least what am I reading?

The Golden Thread: A Readers Journey Through the Great Books            by Bruce Meyer

A wonderful overview of the seminal works of Western literature and why we still read them. I’ve read this several times and still find new insights. Just finished the Bible and am working on Homer’s Odyssey.

Highly recommend this to literature lovers.

Current WIP List (15)

1. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 20% done  
2. Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal
3. Piles of Smiles socks  a new pattern I am working on
4. Sssydney and friends two more to do
5. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf 45% Done
6. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
7. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
8. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
9. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
10. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
11. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
12. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
13. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
14. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
15. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 36

WIPS 2013 = 13 + 2 = 15

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 34

Books 2013 = 14 + 1 = 15

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: Declaration of War!

Yes War has been declared!

Leftover SockYarn Bunny season is open!

Image courtesy: knittingpatterndepot.blogspot.com Thanks!

 

Beryl Blanket = 42 + 10 = 52 1/2 (Hexes Finished so far)

There is a puff version on ravely, that didn’t appeal to me as much. I don’t think it would survive the boyz and the furry moths! Here is my first experiment with half Hexes to even up the salvage, at the bottom edge.

Box of Boxes Blanket = 9

Just came to me one night as I was drifting off. I have odd balls of sockyarn leftovers I want to use up. The full squares are 5″ and quarters are 2 1/2″.

I have to find a project for DK, Worsted and Bulky yarn Bunnies next! Anyone with suggestions?

I finished the Modjeska Hat for DH late last night

Fits him nicely. He wares a rather large hat and he doesn’t like ribbing, so I modified the pattern with a facing. It will look good with his winter coat which is this green and black.

Found on Ravelry: My Fair Cardi by Julie Farmer

This freebie caught my eye sometime ago.

Music to knit by: Pachelbel’s Canon in D

Audio book for the day: Shakespeare’s Sonnets by William Shakespeare

Current WIP List (10)

1. Modjeska Hat
2. Top Down Swing Pullover
3. Beryl Blanket – Long term project
4. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project
5. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost done
6. Kelp Forest Shawlette - very close to done
7. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry
8. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest
9. Cozy Winter Shawl
10. Pine Forest Baby Blanket

FO’s 2013 = 5 + 1 = 6

WIPS 2013 = 10 – 1 = 9 

Used of purchased patterns from Rav = 34 – 6 = 28

Stash Used 2013 = 2 + 2 = 4

Books 2013 = 8

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Weds

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

And Jack’s back in Jail again!

He goes to jail every time he bugs Willow. He is spending less time in Jail, but he hides under the chair when he sees me get up, to but him in it :0)

FO Friday: Is it Friday already?

I don’t know what happened since wednesday,

life got in the way and I didn’t get done half of

what I intended. Even this post was a last minute

effort, for which I apologize.

 Blissful moss rib washcloth #2

 Blissful moss rib washcloth #3

This makes 6 so far.

Elfish Hat

Sorry to report that this pattern was a dud. I riped it out 3 times and modified measurements in an attempt to make it work. Maybe it will work for you, but I gave up and frogged it. :0(

“Bombur’s Travelling Socks”.

Still under construction, hope to have progress for you on wednesday.

FO’s 2012 =  67 + 2 = 69

Patterns from my own Library = 6

WIP’s 2012 = 4 – 2 = 2

Stash used 2012 = 75 +2 = 77

Beryl Blanket Hexes =  48

Books = 40

Thanks again for visiting,

cya next week.

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

For links to my blogwalk come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: Trimming down the WIP list!

Hello all, glorious weather here in Ontario Canada! Sunny, mild gorgeous! I am finally over the nasty flu that wiped me out last week.  I looked a little like this…

So not surprisingly finished this…

Because of Love Tam, for the "Carry along Forum" on Ravelry

And this

Small Lacy Bag, for the "Carry along Forum" on Ravelry

Not sure what I am going to do next…

• Walk for Shetland by Anna Szymanowska  test knitting the english Ver.
• Because of Love Beret (March carry along forum project)
• Soper Creek Yarn Challenge – Top secret project!
• Small Lace Bag (March carry along forum project)
• Abigail Vest
• Hill Walking Socks (design in test knit stage)
• Pine Forest blanket
• Immie Blanket
• Cosy Winter Shawl (design in test knit stage)
• Roarin Cloche (resisting this felted project)
• Beryl Blanket (Long term scrap project)  

Book: Actually this time I am going to recommend a DVD, yup a friend and I sat glued to the TV watching Lucy Neatby’s “Finess your Knitting 2″

Really good like all her DVD’s. The information is excellent and the photography is well done with clear close-ups. I would recommend this series to anyone. Look for the series here well worth it!

FO’s 2012 = 14 + 4 = 18

Patterns from my own Library = 3

WIP’s 2012 = 7

Stash used =  20 + 6 = 26

Stash Purchased 2012 = 18 + 1 = 19

Books = 14

Visit Tami’s blog, Keep Calm and craft on, Knit happy  I’ve made Friday and Yarn along for more really neat stuff!

Well TTFN, see ya Wednseday all being well.

WIP Wed: Carry along forum project

Absolutely lovely weather! You would think spring has sprung! However woke up with the plague! Thanks to my fella’s. don’t know if I will be around friday. Well I am working away on my project for the

Carry along Kal Forum on Ravelry. Every month 3 or 4 projects are chosen for the group to work on. The ones I am thinking of for month of march are

 Because of Love Beret! – I am working on this one this week

Love this pattern! however the band is a little tighter than I like. If I where to do it again I would do the band in needle size 4mm to 4.5mm. only complaint! I used worsted, 3mm, 200yds

Because of Love Tam for Carry along forum on Ravelry

Small Lace Bag - thinking of doin this in fingering to make a really small bag.

Ardelle  – a rather interesting hat that I might do if there is time

FO’s 2012 = 13 + 1 = 14

Patterns from my own Library = 3

WIP’s 2012 = 10

Stash used = 19 + 1 = 20

Stash Purchased 2012 = 16 + 2 = 18

Books = 14

Visit Tami’s blog, Keep Calm and craft on, Knit happy and Yarn along for more really neat stuff!

Well TTFN, see ya Friday all being well.

FO Friday: TGIF with Tams on!

 Well it’s friday again, I am currently off having Physio as usual, then a short visit  to my LYS, Soper Creek Yarns. Later shopping and lunch with MiL then home to read all your lovely blog entries, my favourite part of the afternoon.

Three Tams B

This weeks effort Three Tams B went quicker than I expected until I realized the crown shaping was getting smaller too quickly… dah read chart! Decease every 2nd row, so some frogging required! Was worth the #*%&@. I really enjoyed doing this one more than the first one, however I recommend stitch markers at row 26 (every 20 stitches) and remember to s2kp every other row or you too will be frogging. *I was down to 12 st when sanity intervened and the spidey senses told me that something was wrong, I even cut the yarn!* Finished now and like it!

Liddle Pouch

Also completed a little pouch. If there is enough interest in how I made this I will post it for you guys. Details here.

Weekly Book Report:

Currently reading “Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee” by Robert Van Gulik.

I read this years ago. I enjoyed it so much am reading it again. This detective story is written in a more classical chinese form of the genre. An interesting look into a time when the Magistrate was also the dectictive and questioning the accused under torture was common. Only someone who had confessed could be sentenced for a crime. The details of the criminal system are fascinating.

FO’s 2012 = 8

WIP’s 2012 = 7

Stash used = 12

Stash Purchased 2012 = 8

Books = 9

Hop over to Tami’s blog for more amazing stuff!

WWIP Wonderful Weds!

Ok, maybe I am exaggerating a little but the weather last week was spring like and it is really nice to have everything settled down for the moment. Parents are off gallivanting again, DS is at Uni and DH is around here someplace puttering around, and willow has assumed the position (zzzz).

I want to thank everyone for the delightful comments on Tam A. I have begun Tam B this week.

Three Tams B

Contemplating making “Transitions Yoke Cardigan”. I haven’t made myself a sweater in some time. I have the yarn in my stash. In the spring and fall there are a number of semi outdoor events, (eg barns, arenas, sheads etc) where our handspinning group gather to spin for the community. I could use some advice, have any of you knit this pattern?

On friday I retreated myself to another Lucy Neatby DVD “Finess your knitting 2″ and though I didn’t report it the week before I purchased “Finess your Knitting 1″ I really like Lucy, she is a great teacher and demonstrator. I recommend her DVD’s. I have been knitting since I was 6 yrs old (lets just say the middle of the last century), and teaching keeners how to knit, I still learn things watching these. I also own “Knitting Essentials 2“, “Sock Techniques 2″

Books: Purchased “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” but DS pinched it, so am waiting to read.

Posted a new Pattern: Sue’s Boxes with a Twist Toe-up socks on Ravelry

FO’s 2012 = 6

WIP’s 2012 = 7

Stash used = 10

Stash Purchased 2012 = 7 + 1 = 8

Books = 8

New knitting book review here

Hop over to Tami’s blog , Frontier Dreams and Yarn along for more amazing stuff!

FO Friday: Tam-o’-shanter “A”

Tam A is finished! Had to make little fudge in the pattern to get everything to line up. I think that was me not the pattern, couldn’t be bothered to go back and figure it out as it looked fine to me.

Three Tams (A) 1 of 12 hats in 2012 / 6 of 12 in 2012

Reading “Safe Harbour” by Christine Feehan #5 in the Drake series. This one is about Hanna, the elemental sister. She can control the wind, water, fire, and earth. Though she is a supermodel, she would really rather be home raising a family and go unnoticed. Naturally shy and retiring she is stalked by an unseen enemy that wants to distroy her and her sisters. (this is one of my favourites in this series)

I have noticed something has gone wonky with my Goodreads widget, can anyone suggest anything?

FO’s 2012 = 5 + 1 = 6

WIP’s 2012 = 7

Stash used = 8 + 2 = 10

Stash Purchased 2012 = 6 + 1 = 7

Books = 8

Cya later, and take care.

Go see Tami’s place  and Natural Suburbia if you have time, there’s lots going on there.